Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has expressed hope that his visit to World War I battlefields will be another step toward reconciliation in Ireland.
The former IRA commander and Sinn Féin MLA laid a wreath as he paid tribute to fallen soldiers on a tour of Flanders in Belgium.
Mr McGuinness is in France today to visit the Somme.
More than 2,500 soldiers from the 36th Ulster Division died in the first days of the Battle of the Somme in 1916 - and the battlefields continue to hold great significance for the unionist community in Northern Ireland.
While the 36th Ulster Division was largely unionist in make-up, thousands of nationalists saw action later in Battle of the Somme as part of the 16th Irish Division.
Mr McGuinness has declined an invite to attend the official ceremony to mark the centenary of the battle on 1 July, claiming his presence had the potential to upset some participants.
He said he hoped his visit ahead of next month's commemorations would help build a better future back home.
"I come here as a proud Irish republican to recognise the deaths of thousands of Irish men during the course of the catastrophic imperialist First World War, which claimed millions of lives," he said.
"It is important I come here as Deputy First Minister in a spirit of peace and reconciliation, showing leadership and reaching out the hand of friendship to unionists.
"Tens of thousands of Irish men from across the island died in the First World War and it is important to recognise that. They are part of who we are.
"Recently I have discovered that many republicans, including my colleague in the Executive Office, Conor Heaney - whose great-grandfather was killed at the Somme, lost relatives during the First World War.
"I hope this visit is a further step towards reconciliation. It is an opportunity to remember the past in a mature way and to build a better future for everyone."
Sinn Féin vice president Mary Lou MacDonald and party chair Declan Kearney accompanied Mr McGuinness on his visit.
Thanks to Flemish - President @GeertBourgeois & his Government for the warmth of their welcome to Flanders Fields. pic.twitter.com/Hs04VHlobs
— Martin McGuinness (@M_McGuinness_SF) June 1, 2016
